I feel that when asked about (like always) the #1 thing she would do better to just say that she deserves to be #1 on the ranking list because she has earned the most points but that Serena is the best player out there. It's the truth and it's a far more effective answer in terms of taking the sting out of the Çuestion. "Serena was better today" just ain't going to cut it because everyone in that room believes thatSerena would be better on most days. The way she answers it they interpret it as though she means that being #1 = being the best, so of course they are going to keep nagging about it.

If she went by what everyone else´s opinion she would end up like Safina, I´m afraid. If she said that Serena is the best it would look a bit wimpy, to be honest. Even Ivanovic, who had a lot of ups and downs, did not "bow down" when asked about her chances against Serena and gave a pretty confident answer. As far as no.1 ranking goes it always will indicate the best regardless what people like to claim. Don´t forget that Serena herself never questioned the value of no.1 ranking until she lost it

If she went by what everyone else´s opinion she would end up like Safina, I´m afraid. If she said that Serena is the best it would look a bit wimpy, to be honest. Even Ivanovic, who had a lot of ups and downs, did not "bow down" when asked about her chances against Serena and gave a pretty confident answer. As far as no.1 ranking goes it always will indicate the best regardless what people like to claim. Don´t forget that Serena herself never questioned the value of no.1 ranking until she lost it

I don't think that Serena and Venus have a problem with Caro's #1 ranking. Venus recently said she deserves it. "The gap in points between her and everyone else speaks for itself" she said (or something similar to that).

I feel that when asked about (like always) the #1 thing she would do better to just say that she deserves to be #1 on the ranking list because she has earned the most points but that Serena is the best player out there. It's the truth and it's a far more effective answer in terms of taking the sting out of the Çuestion. "Serena was better today" just ain't going to cut it because everyone in that room believes that Serena would be better on most days. The way she answers it they interpret it as though she means that being #1 = being the best, so of course they are going to keep nagging about it.

I think Caro answers this question fine. Everyone has their advice and I like Caro's answers better than anyone's alternative suggestions. The thing is she is the best over a whole 12 month period by a long way. And yep - Serena is the best and the favourite when you talk about a slam or a single tournament or if they play each other. There's two entirely different senses in which they are each the best.

But just keep the answer simple like she does. Changing her answer and volunteering that Serena is the best like she is the real#1 is not going to stop the questions on #1, is going to lead to a whole host of other questions and different probing angles about her not deserving it and not having belief in herself and questions on the validity of the rankings if they don't indicate who the best player is and who knows what else. The pressure of being #1 when there are players acknowledged by most as being better is really not going away if she says Serena is the real #1. At least sticking to her line - she knows exactly what they will ask her on this and she can bore them with exactly the same answer they know they'll get if they ask her.

I think Caro answers this question fine. Everyone has their advice and I like Caro's answers better than anyone's alternative suggestions. The thing is she is the best over a whole 12 month period by a long way. And yep - Serena is the best and the favourite when you talk about a slam or a single tournament or if they play each other. There's two entirely different senses in which they are each the best.

But just keep the answer simple like she does. Changing her answer and volunteering that Serena is the best like she is the real#1 is not going to stop the questions on #1, is going to lead to a whole host of other questions and different probing angles about her not deserving it and not having belief in herself and questions on the validity of the rankings if they don't indicate who the best player is and who knows what else. The pressure of being #1 when there are players acknowledged by most as being better is really not going away if she says Serena is the real #1. At least sticking to her line - she knows exactly what they will ask her on this and she can bore them with exactly the same answer they know they'll get if they ask her.

You make some good points. I wrote that post shortly after the post-Serena match press conference however and I was still a bit emotional and got annoyed by yet another round of the same questions, so my immediate reaction at the time was, "give them the answer that they want so that the'll stop bugging you." .....But no, probably wouldn't work.